Sakowich Expected to Provide Veteran Leadership on Rebels Blueline
September 26, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Red Deer Rebels rearguard Ethan Sakowich admits that it seems like just yesterday that he entered the Western Hockey League as a fresh-faced rookie.
Now he's one of the 'old' guys.
"Yeah, it's gone fast," the 20-year-old said Thursday.
Sakowich was a third-round pick of the Rebels in the 2014 WHL bantam draft and, as anticipated, has steadily improved over the years.
The Athabasca product has some offensive prowess, as evidenced by the four goals and 18 points he produced last season, but he's mostly a well-rounded, two-way defenceman who's not opposed to playing a physical style.
He's expected to maintain his solid play in his fourth and final season with the Rebels, but will also be counted on to provide leadership as an assistant captain.
"It's definitely different being an older guy on the team. Going through minor hockey you're always the youngest guy on the team," he said.
"It's definitely cool playing with the young kids. There's no added pressure, I just have to stick to my game. That's why I'm here, to help these young guys out."
Sakowich and captain Dawson Barteaux, 19, are the elder statesmen of a Red Deer blueline that features 18-year-old Ryan Gottfried, who, along with Chase Leslie, 17, is in his second season, and rookies Blake Gustafson, Mason Ward, Joel Sexsmith and Christoffer Sedoff, all 17, and Kyle Masters, 16.
It's a crew that is mostly expected to mold into a high-end blueline corps over the next two to three seasons.
"There's going to be some growing pains at the start but the one thing with this group is it's a committed group," said Sakowich. "They have lots of skill but mostly they have good character and they're just going to get better.
"That goes for our whole team and especially the 'D'. I spend lots of time with them and they're just a bunch of great kids. They love the game of hockey and they work hard in practice, which is great to see."
Sakowich was extra busy during the summer, working in a warehouse and training for the current WHL season.
The six-foot-two, 184-pound defender worked at Boyd Distributors in Edmonton where his boss was Dwayne Hagel, the father of former Rebels star Brandon Hagel.
"He was a great boss. He understands the life of a junior hockey player," said Sakowich, whose duties included driving forklift and preparing composite decking orders.
"My hours were really flexible. I was able to make some good money and work on my training. I would train early in the morning so I could get to work and was also skating lots. I was really dedicated to making sure that I was in shape, that my cardio was good for this season."
While it's a vital rebuilding season for the Rebels, it's equally important for Sakowich if he wants to play for pay down the road.
"I think everyone dreams of getting a pro contract. That's not my goal right now," he said. "Right now I'm just focused on the team. If our team is good all of us individuals are going to get our chances."
The Rebels are in Lethbridge Friday to face the Hurricanes, then host the Calgary Hitmen Saturday.
Barteaux signs with Stars
Rebels captain Dawson Barteaux clearly impressed the Dallas Stars coaches and management when he participated in the NHL club's rookie and main camps earlier this month.
Barteaux signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Stars Thursday, a deal that will pay him $925,000 per season once he earns a berth on the Dallas roster.
The signing didn't come as a surprise to Barteaux.
"They said when I was leaving (camp) that they wanted to get me signed," he said. "I didn't know it would be such a long process. It's been a couple of weeks but I'm excited to get it done."
Clearly, the Stars' sixth-round pick in the 2018 NHL draft had a strong second training camp with Dallas.
"I think I made a good impression with them, but I have a lot more to prove than how I played there," said Barteaux. "I felt I could have been better than I was. I have more to prove and I'm looking forward to getting the work started.
"It's a huge honour for sure and I'm super excited about it. Not a lot of people get to sign an NHL contract. It's a good feeling."
Western Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2019
- Broncos Acquire Raphael Pelletier from Oil Kings - Swift Current Broncos
- Oil Kings Trade Raphael Pelletier to Swift Current Broncos - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Sakowich Expected to Provide Veteran Leadership on Rebels Blueline - Red Deer Rebels
- Blades Release Lisowsky; Wiens to Stay - Saskatoon Blades
- Raiders Announce Ozzy Wiesblatt Bobblehead Night Presented by Canadian Tire - Prince Albert Raiders
- Friday Is Fridge Magnet Schedule Giveaway - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Rockets prepared for big weekend - Kelowna Rockets
- Alex Kannok Leipert Named Captain of the Vancouver Giants - Vancouver Giants
- Bowen Byram Reassigned to the Vancouver Giants - Vancouver Giants
- Saskatoon Blades Hold Strong in Third Place of Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings - Saskatoon Blades
- Brkin Looking to Make An Impact - Moose Jaw Warriors
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